Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What is the North American Cargo Securement Standard?
The North American Cargo Securement Standard provides the basis for the rules and regulations covering load securement on motor vehicles in the United States and Canada. The standard applies to all motor vehicles which use public highways and have a gross vehicle weight of over 4,500 kg or 10,000 pounds.
What are three ways that cargo can be secured for transport?
Cargo can be secured for transport by being fully contained, by being imobilized, or by being secured on a vehicle.
What is working load limit (WLL)?
The working load limit (WLL) of a securement device is the maximum load that device can handle during normal use.
What is aggregate working load limit?
The aggregate working load limit (AWLL) is the combined working load limit of all of the tie-downs and other restraint devices that are used to secure a particular load.
How is the number of tie downs required for a load determined?
First, the aggregate working load limit be equal to or greater than half the cargo weight. In addition, the required number of tie-downs also depends on the cargo's length. The basic rule is that if forward restraint is present, there should be one tie-down for every 10 feet (3 meters) of cargo length. If forward restraint is not present, an additional tie-down is required.
Which commodities have special load securement requirements?
Commodities that have special load securement requirements include logs, lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, automobiles, light trucks, vans, heavy vehicles, equipment, machinery, and large boulders